Software / apps (Teaching coding)

With so many coding apps / tools to choose from, it can often be a challenge to know which one to use! With that in mind, here is a selection of popular solutions to help children to learn how to code:

Cargo-bot Cargo-bot is a fun and challenging game designed to teach programming. The idea is simple; players have to program a crane to move boxes back and forth between platforms. The player controls the crane using blocks (Up, Down, Left, Right) which they must place in the correct sequence however, there is only a limited number of spaces to place the blocks meaning that the player is forced to create sub-routines (progs) to optimise the sequence of instructions. The challenge is to move the crane using the least number of instructions. Stars are awarded for the number of instructions used – The more optimised the instructions, the more stars the player is awarded. Link: Win 10 | iOS | Web Price: Free	Cargo-bot: A fun and challenging game designed to introduce programming concepts.
Daisy the Dinosaur Daisy the Dinosaur is a free iOS app designed for younger children to introduce programming concepts such as sequences, loops and events. The app uses an easy-to-use drag and drop interface to control Daisy in order to complete various challenges. Link: iOS Price: Free	Learn the basics of computer programming with Daisy the Dinosaur!
Bee-Bot App The new Bee-Bot App from TTS Group has been developed based on their well-loved, award-winning Bee-Bot floor robot. The app makes use of Bee-Bot’s keypad functionality and enables children to improve their skills in directional language and programming through sequences of forwards, backwards, left and right 90 degree turns. The app has been developed with 12 levels encouraging progression. Each level is timed and the faster it is completed the more stars you get! The levels are set in an engaging garden scenario and will appeal from age 4 upwards. Link: iOS | Android Price: Free
Light-bot Hour of Code Light-bot for Hour of Code is meant to introduce kids who have no experience whatsoever programming, and is all-ages friendly! That means anyone anywhere at any age can play, have fun and learn real programming logic! Light-bot is a programming puzzle game: a puzzle game that uses game mechanics that are firmly rooted in programming concepts. Light-bot lets players gain a practical understanding of basic control-flow concepts like instruction sequencing, procedures and loops, just by guiding a robot with commands to light up tiles and solve levels. Link: iOS | Android Price: Free
Scratch Scratch is a block-based visual programming language and website targeted primarily at children. Users of the site can create online projects using a block-like interface.  Link: Web Price: Free
Scratch Jr Inspired by the Scratch programming tool, Scratch Jr is is an introductory programming language that enables young children (ages 5-7) to create their own interactive stories and games. Although based on the popular Scratch (drag-and-drop) block programming environment, the Scratch Jr interface has been re-designed to make it more suitable for a younger audience. Link: iOS | Android Price: Free
Run Marco Run Marco is a simple adventure game designed to teach children how to code. In the game, players have to control Marco, an explorer that has to find the gems lost along with different levels. Link: iOS | Web Price: Free